My SO’s mother was recounting the story of one of her first dates with her husband to me. Evidently, they were on a drive through the mountains, and she put one of his 8 track tapes in for music. It turned out to be some sort of heavy metal band ("you know, that rwaaaar rwaaar rwaaaar kind of music… horrible!"), so she took great delight in telling me that she rolled down the window, chucked it out, and "he’s never listened to anything but country western and easy listening since!"

I must admit, I wasn’t very graceful either, because as she stared at me, obviously expecting me to praise her for her great handling of the situation and training of said husband, all I could respond with was "sounds like a waste of a great 8 track" (I happen to love late-70s metal, myself). That was much kinder than what my brain was screaming ("seriously, why did this man keep dating you, let alone marry you after this and other similar stories!").

WOW! That's just...I think I'd be staring at her in disbelief myself. DH and I don't see eye to eye on some forms of music (He loves anime but is not a huge fan of musicals. I'm the opposite) but I wouldn't dream of throwing his cd's out the window!

Logged

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars. You have a right to be here. Be cheerful, strive to be happy. -Desiderata

I used to work in a bank, and I'm very familiar with what you describe here. Whenever someone who shorts change responds in that way, it's a very good indicator that they're skimming and trying to shame the target into letting the matter drop.

I read once about a large company whose payroll was done by an employee who was his company's Bob Cratchitt. After several decades, loyal Mr. Crachitt suddenly did not show up for work one day. When they checked on him, they found his residence vacated and no one had any idea where he was.In the course of the audit that followed, they discovered Mr. Cratchitt had been siphoning off some small odd amount from every check he issued (say, 12 cents), for most of his employment (that is, since he realized he was his company's Bob Crachitt) and those 12-cent-s had been channeled into an offshore account in the Caribbean. Where, apparently, Mr. and Mrs. Crachitt were now enjoying a delightful retirement.

I used to work in a bank, and I'm very familiar with what you describe here. Whenever someone who shorts change responds in that way, it's a very good indicator that they're skimming and trying to shame the target into letting the matter drop.

I read once about a large company whose payroll was done by an employee who was his company's Bob Cratchitt. After several decades, loyal Mr. Crachitt suddenly did not show up for work one day. When they checked on him, they found his residence vacated and no one had any idea where he was.In the course of the audit that followed, they discovered Mr. Cratchitt had been siphoning off some small odd amount from every check he issued (say, 12 cents), for most of his employment (that is, since he realized he was his company's Bob Crachitt) and those 12-cent-s had been channeled into an offshore account in the Caribbean. Where, apparently, Mr. and Mrs. Crachitt were now enjoying a delightful retirement.[/quote

Today I was dragging myself around the gym's indoor track with my toddler sleeping on my back (no gym childcare on most Saturdays), watching my daughter climb up and down the rock wall. The rule at this gym is that all minors under age 14 must be supervised by an adult. There are extra gym workers at the pool and the climbing wall so kids can hang out in those spots.

Anyway. A group of about 7-8 preteens, mostly boys with a couple girls, were racing around each other, racing the wrong way on the track (apparently I was an obstacle), leaping from one piece of exercise equipment to another, being general nuisances for a few minutes. One of the center's supervisors rounded them all up and informed them this wasn't acceptable, they needed to be supervised by an adult. They pointed at a woman standing in a corner, back to them, talking on her cell phone. Apparently this was their adult.

Next time I saw them they were sweating it out on a row of bicycles, the lady's cell phone was put away and she was leaning on a pillar staring at them with a tired-looking frown. I hope they sleep well tonight.

Logged

“A real desire to believe all the good you can of others and to make others as comfortable as you can will solve most of the problems.” CS Lewis

That reminds me of an ex-neighbor who, when her children were particularly rumbustious, would send them outside to "do a lap around the house!" Or multiple laps. Every once in a while, they had to be REALLY tired before they were allowed back inside. Did wonders for pre-teen attitudes!

Logged

Double MIL now; not yet a Grandma. Owner of Lard Butt Noelle, kitteh extraordinaire! True fact: Eggs can be just as hard to unload as zucchini!

That reminds me of an ex-neighbor who, when her children were particularly rumbustious, would send them outside to "do a lap around the house!" Or multiple laps. Every once in a while, they had to be REALLY tired before they were allowed back inside. Did wonders for pre-teen attitudes!

My mom's solution was to send us out to chase the dogs. With 6 acres of woods to run on. Worked like a charm.

Logged

If wisdom’s ways you wisely seek,Five things observe with care,To whom you speak,Of whom you speak,And how, and when, and where.Caroline Lake Ingalls

That reminds me of an ex-neighbor who, when her children were particularly rumbustious, would send them outside to "do a lap around the house!" Or multiple laps. Every once in a while, they had to be REALLY tired before they were allowed back inside. Did wonders for pre-teen attitudes!

My mom's solution was to send us out to chase the dogs. With 6 acres of woods to run on. Worked like a charm.

If youngest son was bouncing off the walls, I made him run around the block. I only had to do this a couple times, and threatened once when we moved to the mobile home park. I told him if he didn't knock it off, he was going to run around the block, and the blocks were bigger here.

Speaking of youngest son, he had a friend here, and this kid lived for video games. He came over one day, and wanted Josh to go to his house and play video games. I told him it was too nice a day to be inside, and that he was to play outside. The boy told my son that he should just beg until I gave in like he did to his parents. My son said, no way, that will just make her mad, and I will have to stay inside, and get to do nothing.